Eighth Day of Creation
After Jesus rests in the tomb on Saturday (the seventh day), he rises again on Sunday (the eighth day). While seven is the biblical number of completion, eight is the number of redemption.
We all know, however, that there aren’t actually eight days in a week! The first and the eighth day are, in fact, the same day which reveals something true about God’s work: it’s harmonious.
Laurence Stookey explains this beautifully: “As the eighth note of the scale is consonant with but higher than the first, so the new creation does not demean the creation of the cosmos, but reveals to us fuller insights into the Creator’s purpose and providence.”
Because the day of Christ's resurrection is the dawn of new creation, Sunday is also known as the eighth day of creation and on this day, he forms his own body made of all those who share in his resurrection. We call that body the Church.
It's no coincidence that the Church has set aside exactly eight days for praying for unity within the body - it's a reminder that we are one, new creations called to work together in love as the hands and feet of Christ.
